Huyang City.

Jun Changxiao walked in with Lu Qianqian.

Since today was the auction house’s opening day, martial artists could be seen everywhere on the main street. Judging from their clothing styles, at least half were not from Qingyang Commandery.

News of the Ai Family’s healing pills and body-tempering pills had long since spread like wildfire throughout the various commanderies.

Even though many martial artists couldn’t afford them, knowing that many sects would be attending, they naturally planned to come and broaden their horizons.

The more lively Huyang City became, the happier Jun Changxiao grew, because this meant big spenders would appear, allowing him to earn more money.

“My, isn’t this Sect Leader Jun?”

Just as he was preparing to head to the auction, a family head from Huyang City approached with cupped fists and a smile.

Someone was actually greeting him.

But he didn’t recognize this person—how should he return the courtesy?

Jun Changxiao’s mind whirred as he cupped his fists and said, “Happy National Day.”

Calculating by time, his homeland was about to celebrate its sixty-ninth birthday, so he’d respond in this manner.

National Day? Happy?

Those four words left that family head completely dumbfounded on the spot.

National Day—was that someone’s name? A person? Or was he referring to me? But that’s not right, I’m called Jian Jun, not National Day.

“Sect Leader Jun…”

“Happy National Day.”

“Sect Leader Jun…”

“Happy National Day.”

As Sect Leader Jun walked along, whenever someone he didn’t recognize came forward to greet him, he would immediately return the courtesy with grace.

And so, after walking down one street, he left everyone who’d greeted him completely bewildered.

They looked at each other, silently speculating about who National Day was and why they should be happy.

Speaking of which.

Why were the prominent figures of Huyang City so enthusiastic toward Jun Changxiao?

One had to know that because he’d offended the Righteous Qi Sect and the Hundred Sects Alliance, aside from Qingyang City, when entering other cities, everyone would normally avoid him like the plague.

This was because of the Ai Family.

The Righteous Qi Sect had backed the Iron Bones Sect internally and was willing to lend them ten million taels—their relationship must be rock solid.

Since the Ai Family cared so much, they absolutely had to maintain good relations.

As for the Righteous Qi Sect and the Hundred Sects Alliance? Sorry, but we’re families of Huyang City, so naturally we stand with the Ai Family.

…

The Ai Family auction house.

Jun Changxiao arrived with Lu Qianqian and stopped at the entrance.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Ai Shangke, who was responsible for welcoming guests, hurriedly smiled and said, “Having you attend my Ai Family auction is truly an honor.”

The major powers from other commanderies all turned their heads.

So this young fellow was the Iron Bones Sect Leader who’d previously defeated the Righteous Qi Sect?

Tsk tsk.

He looks quite young.

“Times have changed—even an eighth-tier sect can defeat a sixth-tier sect now.”

“When this old man first heard the news, I thought it was just a rumor. Only after arriving in Qingyang Commandery did I learn it was actually true.”

“If you ask me, Qingyang Commandery is too small a place. Their sixth-tier Righteous Qi Sect probably can’t even compare to a seventh-tier sect from our region.”

The high-ranking members of various powers discussed in low voices.

For an eighth-tier sect to defeat a sixth-tier sect—if not repeatedly verified, they truly would find it hard to believe.

“I heard that soon after, the Iron Bones Sect will even challenge the Sacred Spring Sect.”

“The Sacred Spring Sect is a well-established fifth-tier sect, and their commandery is also full of outstanding talents. To dare challenge them is tantamount to seeking death.”

“To assume the sect leader position at such a young age and possess the spirit of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers—this is worth praising.”

Jun Changxiao’s arrival became a hot topic of discussion among the various powers.

However, most carried a trace of mockery.

“Sect Leader Jun.”

Ai Shangke said in a low voice, “Powers just love to gossip. Don’t take it to heart.”

Jun Changxiao said, “I won’t.”

Mouths belonged to others—they could say whatever they wanted.

If he took it to heart, he would’ve been angered to death during the Hundred Sects recruitment.

“Please.”

Ai Shangke cupped his fists.

Jun Changxiao was about to enter the venue with Lu Qianqian.

But just as he started moving, someone said, “Elder Ai, Sect Leader Jun is entering without even showing his card. Doesn’t that violate the rules?”

The speaker was a high-ranking member of a power from another commandery.

“That’s right.”

Someone else chimed in, “We’re all lining up and showing our cards. For the Iron Bones Sect Leader to go in empty-handed—isn’t this treating us outsiders differently?”

“This…”

Ai Shangke felt rather awkward.

Because his relationship with Jun Changxiao was extraordinary, the thought of having him show his VIP card simply hadn’t occurred to him.

The martial artists from other commanderies disagreed.

They were lining up here and entering in order—how could an eighth-tier sect leader swagger in cutting the line?

“Elder Ai, you need to give us an explanation.”

“Although we’re not locals of Qingyang Commandery, we’re all card-holding customers who’ve paid. Now we’re lining up properly according to the rules, but someone’s not following them—how can this be justified?”

“Could it be that in the Ai Family’s eyes, we sixth and seventh-tier sects aren’t as good as an eighth-tier sect from your commandery?”

The powers from other commanderies pressed aggressively.

On a small scale, they were deliberately targeting Jun Changxiao or the Ai Family.

On a larger scale, they were targeting all of Qingyang Commandery.

Although there were no wars between commanderies, they still belonged to different factions, so when coming to someone else’s territory, they naturally had to show a bit of dominance.

Moreover.

Qingyang Commandery’s overall strength was relatively low and wasn’t worth mentioning compared to prosperous commanderies. Many powers and even martial artists from major commanderies naturally carried a sense of superiority.

Regional conflicts were even more severe throughout the Stellar Descent Continent.

In fact, it was perfectly normal for small grudges to eventually evolve into wars between entire commanderies.

Ai Shangke’s expression grew increasingly ugly.

He clearly hadn’t expected these outsiders to be so relentless.

“Sigh.”

Jun Changxiao let out a sigh, pulled Lu Qianqian back, and said, “Elder Ai, what are the rules for entering the auction?”

“Kid.”

Someone said, “On this path you’re taking, you must produce a platinum card to qualify for passage. Otherwise, obediently stand behind us in line.”

“Brother Han, on our path, you need at least a gold card to enter. Do you think an eighth-tier sect can produce one?”

“A gold card requires spending at least five million with the Ai Family to obtain. Never mind eighth-tier—even Qingyang Commandery’s seventh-tier sects probably don’t have them.”

“Haha, they really are poor.”

The various powers from other commanderies all burst into laughter.

The various powers of Qingyang Commandery waiting in line at the bronze entrance on the far side all had extremely ugly expressions.

What had been targeting the Iron Bones Sect was now blatant mockery of Qingyang Commandery. Any local with even a bit of pride naturally couldn’t stand it.

Jun Changxiao had originally wanted to keep a low profile and quietly pull out his card to enter, but seeing this group’s arrogant and domineering attitude, his temper flared.

“Elder Ai.”

He pointed at the path where the outsiders were standing and said, “This requires a gold card to qualify for entry?”

“Yes.” Ai Shangke said.

Jun Changxiao shrugged and said, “This sect leader was just wondering why so much trash was lining up here. Turns out they’re just a bunch of gold-tier dregs who don’t even have platinum.”

The word “dregs” was clearly an insult!

The powers from other commanderies immediately flared up, but just as they were about to open their mouths for a verbal assault, their expressions suddenly froze, because Jun Changxiao had summoned his platinum card.

Under the refracted sunlight, the white gleam flashing from the card swept across their faces one by one, forcing them to hastily close their eyes.

He… actually has a platinum card!

An Ai Family platinum card was generally only obtainable by big shots from sixth-tier sects and above. Below sixth-tier, no matter how much money one spent, it was impossible to get one.

“A bunch of gold-tier trash—take your time lining up.”

Jun Changxiao waved his platinum card and said proudly, “This sect leader will go in first.”

“Oh, right.”

After taking two steps, he stopped, turned back with a smile and said, “This eighth-tier sect of mine really is stronger than you sixth and seventh-tier ones.”

The powers from other commanderies could only watch helplessly as he entered.

Although their eyes blazed with fury, they were powerless to act—after all, he had platinum and they had gold.

Speaking of which, if gold cards were trash, those holding bronze cards would surely feel even more inferior.

But the Qingyang Commandery powers lined up at the farthest edge, seeing the outsiders’ faces looking like they’d swallowed flies, felt secretly delighted.

Not so cocky now, are you? Not showing off anymore, are you!